Cleveland Browns RB Brandon Jackson is now the team's primary backup to RB Trent Richardson after the loss of both RBs Montario Hardesty (knee) and Dion Lewis (fibula) to the season-ending Injured Reserve list. "Brandon is a reliable guy," head coach Rob Chudzinski said Tuesday, Aug. 27. "I have no issues with Brandon. Trent will be the guy we're counting on in a lot of different ways. We have to do a good job of keeping him fresh throughout the course of the season."

Cleveland Browns RB Brandon Jackson said he believes he can help the team as a receiver out of the backfield. "I feel it's a strongsuit for me," Jackson said. "I'm already past the first level and that's the defensive line. So being able to put me up against a linebacker or the secondary, I'm loving it."

Cleveland Browns RB Dion Lewis (ankle) was carted off the field after suffering a left ankle injury during the team's preseason game Thursday, Aug. 15.

Fantasy Tip: Lewis is having a great training camp and was on track to become the No. 2 running back this season, but could miss some time depending on the severity of the injury. Montario Hardesty was also a candidate for the backup RB job, but he is out recovering from knee surgery. Brandon Jackson could become the backup by default depending on Lewis' injury and would be the handcuff to Trent Richardson.

Cleveland Browns RB Montario Hardesty (knee) will miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday, Aug. 15. Hardesty has had surgery on both of the anterior cruciate ligaments in both of his knees already. He's missed most of training camp with a hamstring issue and a dislocated right thumb earlier this week. RBs Dion Lewis and Brandon Jackson are competing for the backup spot behind RB Trent Richardson.

Fantasy Tip: Lewis has stood out in camp and should be the favorite to back up Richardson at this point. Target him in the late rounds if you're worried about how Richardson will hold up in his second full season.

The only real competition at the running back position for the Cleveland Browns is to determine who will become the primary backup to RB Trent Richardson. The team likely will favor whoever proves to be the best receiving threat and pass protector, especially on third down. Contributions on special teams might be a deciding factor, too. Head coach Pat Shurmur said RBs Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson would both play this year, but it is uncertain who will have a more prominent role. RB Chris Ogbonnaya is also in the mix, and his ability on special teams will help his cause should one of the others falter or suffer injury.

Fantasy Tip: There are conflicting reports in the Cleveland media on whether Jackson or Hardesty will be the No. 2 guy behind RB Trent Richardson, so this will obviously be hashed out in training camp and into the preseason.

Cleveland Browns RBs Brandon Jackson and Chris Ogbonnaya might be fighting it out for the No. 3 running back job behind rookie RB Trent Richardson and RB Montario Hardesty in training camp and the preseason. It is unlikely the Browns will keep four running backs on the roster, so Jackson and Ogbonnaya might not make the roster. However, if Hardesty suffers an injury, Jackson might end up as the primary backup with Ogbonnaya as the No. 3.

Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert said Tuesday, Aug. 30, that RB Brandon Jackson (toe) might be headed for the season-ending Injured Reserve list. "We're still kind of waiting on Brandon," Heckert said. "He's not going to need surgery. It's just a matter of when he's ready." Heckert said a decision will be ade based on "who else is available." Head coach Pat Shurmur added that Jackson is "in a cast, and it's settling down."

Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns RB Brandon Jackson (toe) is expected to be sidelined a maximum of six weeks due to a turf toe injury. The good news is that the ailment does not require surgery.

Green Bay Packers RB Brandon Jackson, depending upon which set of free-agent rules are in place, could be available to leave on the free-agent market when the NFL lockout comes to an end. Jackson is a decent receiver and excels in blitz pickup, which is why he has become the typical third-down back for the Packers. If he is a restricted free agent, there is a decent chance he will return to the Packers in 2011.

Green Bay Packers RB Brandon Jackson had a reduced role during the team's Week 13 win over the San Francisco 49ers, reports Gary D'Amato, of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. With rookie RB James Starks carrying the ball 18 times, Jackson had just four carries for 13 yards rushing. He also had four receptions for 63 yards. Starks is a big back at 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, and he may be more powerful than the 5-foot-10, 216-pound Jackson. "I don't want to get into different styles," Jackson said. "Starks, he did great today."